The FDA recognizes Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) as safe for consumption, but those that have ever suffered a serious side effect will say otherwise. MSG was thought to be a natural flavour enhancer but in fact is a neurotoxin that can cause damage to your cells or even to some cell death by over exciting them. Man-made MSG is approximately 80% free glutamic acid and 20% sodium.

MSG is used in almost every restaurant that you go to and is almost always used in processed food. So, if it is so bad for us why is it still used? It’s a selling point that most are not aware of, as it is used as a flavour enhancer to make your food taste better.

Those that have suffered the ill effects of consuming MSG, will say they have suffered anywhere from mild to severe symptoms such as the ones listed below.

Some side effects that many people experience include heart palpitations, weakness, numbness in arms and neck area, facial tightness, nausea, headache and drowsiness. Those sensitive to MSG are more likely to have more of the above noted symptoms than those that are not. Other symptoms can include swelling, drop in blood pressure, rapid or slow heartbeat, over-all body ache, vomiting, rash, dry mouth and it can even trigger an asthma attack.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from 15 -30 minutes after consumption and last from one to 12 hours later.

Also scan the labels for flavourings that contain these one or more of these words: Soy sauce, Stock, broth, Carrageenan, Malt extract, malt dextrin, Pectin, Worcestershire sauce, Kombo extract, Powdered milk, Barley malt, and Cornstarch.

The best way to avoid MSG is to avoid all processed foods, and if you do eat in a restaurant, ask them to not use MSG when preparing your food. Eat clean, and if you wish, add some vitamin C and ginger to your diet, as they have shown to have powerful protective effects against MSG.